J&K Government taken 'off guard' on PM Modi's Diwali milan with soldiers

State authorities informed barely two hours before visit

JAMMU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's capacity to surprise everyone is matchless and innovative. On Thursday, it was the turn of Jammu and Kashmir government to eat a humble pie of Modi's surprise.
Thursday afternoon while the state's political, bureaucratic, security and social elites were busy visiting each other for Diwali greetings, a picture of Prime Minister in the combat dress in the middle of soldiers looked more like a prank rather than an actual event. Modi was actually among the soldiers not very far from the Line of Control in a notorious shelling range in Gurez sector of north Kashmir.
The Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat was in Kashmir a day ahead of Diwali but not many people could make out why he decided to stay in Srinagar for the night and not return to Delhi to be at home and capital on the occasion of Diwali. At least, the Jammu and Kashmir government didn't know who was expected in the Valley on Diwali eve.
Unlike Modi's Siachen visit on Diwali two years ago which was publicised many days before, the yesterday's visit to Gurez was known to the general public only when the Government of India's Press Information Bureau and the PM himself tweeted a photograph.
The Jammu and Kashmir government was informed about the visit barely two hours before Prime Minister Modi landed at a strip in forward area but the Governor and Chief Minister were not invited to join him. The Chief Minister had come down to Jammu to spend time with children in RS Pura.
In Gurez, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with the jawans of Indian Army and BSF near the Line of Control. He spent nearly two hours there and exchanged sweets and greetings with the jawans.
Addressing the jawans, the Prime Minister, said that like everyone else, he too wishes to spend Diwali with his family. Therefore, he said, he had come among the jawans of the Armed Forces, whom he considers to be "his family."
He went on to say that he gets new energy when he spends time among the jawans and soldiers of the Armed Forces. He appreciated their penance and sacrifice, amid harsh conditions.
He said that he had been told that the jawans present at the gathering regularly practice Yoga and remarked that this would definitely enhance their abilities and give them a sense of calm.
He added that jawans who leave the Armed Forces after completing their duty tenure can become excellent yoga trainers.
In the visitors' book, the Prime Minister wrote:
"Protecting the Motherland, far from your loved ones, displaying the highest traditions of sacrifice, all soldiers at the nation's borders, are symbols of bravery and dedication.
I have an opportunity to spend the festival of Diwali with you. The presence of brave soldiers at the border, on this festive occasion, lights the lamp of hope, and generates new energy among crores of Indians.
To accomplish the dream of "New India," this is a golden opportunity for all of us to work together. The Army too is a part of it.
Greetings to all of you on Diwali."
This is the fourth successive Diwali that the Prime Minister has celebrated with jawans on the border. In 2014, he had spent the day at Siachen, the world's highest battlefield and announced a Rs. 570 crore relief package for Jammu and Kashmir. In 2015, he celebrated it at the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. Last year, he spent Diwali at the border posts in Himachal Pradesh with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).